Being locked outside of the Roosevelt Commons meeting space because the door lock was changed without telling our "keeper of the keys" didn't deter Downtown Voices Coalition Steering Committee members and guests from eventually settling in and getting down to (downtown) business on the morning of Saturday, September 12. Here's what perspired – oops, transpired...
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS: After a welcome by Tim Eigo, Steering Committee chair, the assembled group introduced themselves and their affiliations.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Cole Van Norman of Van Norman Development presented plans for his Grand Avenue Lofts in the Triangle Neighborhood. The project consists of four townhouses, 1,250 square feet in size, with spacious interiors, open kitchen layout, two bedrooms, and two and a half baths. For more information, visit http://grandavecondominiums.com
Kathleen Santin and Brian Stark updated the group on progress at the Containers on Grand shipping container project. Anticipated move-in date is November 1. The waiting list continues to grow so demand for the unique product is high. For more information, visit http://www.containersongrand.com/
PRESSING ISSUES
ASU Signage Variances. Barbara Shaw Snyder presented on ASU/Blue Media’s signage agreement with the City of Phoenix. ASU would like to amend the agreement to allow for larger vinyl signs on downtown campus buildings and an interior electronic sign at the under-construction Law College. Meeting attendees had significant concerns about the size of the banners, their visual impact on the existing architecture, how they could mask/block glass windows, and whether such an expense should even be considered given the many other needs of college students and financial pressures on higher education today. A motion was made by Steve Dreiseszun and seconded by Steve Weiss to ask for a continuance of the September 17 variance hearing to allow for additional community input and, if the continuance wasn’t granted, to oppose the variances in toto. Motion passed unanimously. To view Blue Media's introductory letter, their Saturday meeting presentation, and DVC's response letter to City officials, visit here: http://bit.ly/1gpnPNv
Transportation 2050 Citizens Commission. In the aftermath of voter (and DVC) support of Proposition 104 on August 25 (55% to 45%), the Phoenix City Council started the process of implementing the transportation plan, to be funded through a slight increase in the sales tax. Council unanimously voted to create a Citizens Transportation Commission to oversee the plan’s implementation. It was suggested by that a DVC Steering Committee member or “friend of DVC” apply to serve on the Commission to represent the interests of downtown as espoused in DVC’s priority issues.
Phoenix Arts & Culture 30th Year. With 2015 being the 30th anniversary of the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture (and Commission), it was suggested that DVC determine what downtown arts organizations, including DVC, can do to help celebrate and recognize this achievement. Jim McPherson was asked to check in with Gail Browne to find out. For more information about the October 3 public celebration, visit here: https://www.phoenix.gov/arts/celebrate
FAA Flight Path Changes. Steve Dreiseszun presented a brief update on the status of the FAA’s flight path changes that have affected the quality of life of residents of numerous neighborhoods in and around downtown. The City of Phoenix Aviation Department is holding a Community Outreach Workshop on September 17 at the Desert Broom Library, 29710 N. Cave Creek Rd., from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The workshop provides an opportunity for residents to ask any questions pertaining to the FAA’s flight paths, and give community members access to technical airspace planning experts. For more information about this issue, visit https://skyharbor.com/flightpaths/
Roosevelt BID Status. Dave Krietor with DPI noted that the Phoenix City Council’s Downtown, Aviation, and Redevelopment Subcommittee is scheduled to review the request to form the Roosevelt Business Improvement District (BID) in mid-October. If the Subcommittee votes in favor of the request, then the full City Council is enabled to notify area property owners of the intent to form the Roosevelt BID. Interested individuals, businesses, and organizations can then voice their opinion about the BID at two subsequent City Council meetings in November and December. For more information about the Roosevelt BID, visit http://www.hormann.net/roosevelt-row.html
West Fillmore RFP. It was noted that Phoenix Fillmore Partners, a development partnership between Trammell Crow Company and the Cesar Chavez Foundation, has been named the winning proposer for the West Fillmore RFP issued by the City of Phoenix. The RFP covers the 7.5 acre site of the former Thomas J. Pappas School. Both the size and location of the site make it a key residential and retail expansion area for the West Fillmore portion of the Roosevelt neighborhood and downtown. Meeting attendees still have questions about the design and density of the project, whether the street (versus a “paseo”) will be returned, and will there be an education component. For more information about the project, visit http://downtownphoenixjournal.com/2015/09/09/city-selects-proposal-for-west-fillmore-rfp/
TOP FIVE SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES PRESENTATION
With an homage to Sophia Loren and Jane Jacobs, Tim Eigo presented the findings of an informal survey of 25 downtown advocates, including DVC Steering Committee members, of their individual top five trends happening in downtown right now and top five areas that need more focus and attention. The survey was first presented to the Downtown Phoenix Inc. board of directors and will be presented to the City of Phoenix senior management team at the request of City Manager Ed Zuercher. Downtown Voices Coalition Steering Committee members and guests who did not respond the first time around are encouraged to send their top five list to Tim Eigo at tim.eigo@downtownvoices.org
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Attendees brought the following community events to the group’s attention:
For the most updated list of downtown events and activities, visit the following sites. If you know of other helpful sites, please let us know.
There being no other business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. If you have any questions comments, concerns, or ideas, please feel free to drop me a line.
Tim Eigo
Chair, Steering Committee
Downtown Voices Coalition
tim.eigo@downtownvoices.org
downtownvoices.org
facebook.com/downtownvoices
twitter.com/downtownvoices
P.S. Several days after Downtown Voices Coalition's meeting, the following request came across my inbox that I thought you would find of interest. Councilman Michael Nowakowski (District 7) is very interested in knowing more about our community needs. You're welcome to fill out a survey so the Councilman and the City can better serve our downtown and District 7. The survey is completely online and all you have to do is press submit when you are done: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XN8QFKR If you have questions or concerns, contact Stephanie Menetrier, Office of Councilman Nowakowski, at 602-534-1211 or stephanie.menetrier@phoenix.gov
P.P.S. Congratulations to the City of Phoenix Reinvent Phoenix Team for receiving an Arizona Forward Award of Merit in the Healthy Communities Public Policy & Plans Category! To review the full list of award recipients, visit here: http://arizonaforward.org/pdf/EEA.2015.Winners.Release.pdf
